obey UK /əʊˈbeɪ/US /oʊˈbeɪ/verb 3forms 6phrases 1 verb3 •to carry out the orders or wishes of someone who is in charge •To do as one is told.Soldiers are trained to obey. •(no longer used) To be obedient, compliant (to a given law, restriction etc.).They were all taught by Triton, to obay / To the long raynes, at her commaundement [...]. — 1590 formsobey'd · obeyed · obeyedst · obeying · obeys · obeyest Phrases with obey tremble and obeyTo unthinkingly obey or pander to authorities, especially the Chinese government.